Blocking and Tackling: How Notre Dame Can Beat USC

The game this Saturday between Notre Dame and USC will be a good measuring stick as to where Notre Dame is. Have they arrived as a legitimate Top 25 team, or do they still have some rebuilding to do?

Notre Dame has some big names in this game. Jimmy Clausen is a Heisman candidate. Golden Tate and Armando Allen are also becoming more well known around college football. USC has a Heisman candidate in Joe McKnight as well.

As big of stars as these guys are, it is fundamentals that will determine this one. As complicated as we like to make it, football is really about two simple things. That is blocking and tackling. The teams that do these things well win. The teams that don't lose. The Irish have blocked well all year. That is why Clausen, Tate, Michael Floyd, and Allen have been able to have the success they have had.

As exciting as it is to watch Clausen throw the long bomb to Tate, he has to have protection in order to be able to do it. Protection has been good so far, but they have not gone against a defense like USC. Whether or not the offensive line can hold up against the Tojans will decide it. This will be quite a challenge for Sam Young, Paul Duncan, Chris Stewart, Trevor Robinson, and Eric Olsen.

On defense, the biggest problem has been missed tackles. It happens mainly when guys have overrun the play. The last couple of games Jon Tenuta has blitzed less and tackling has improved. If they slip back to their early season habits though, Clausen and company may have to put up 50 to win.

A big key will be stopping McKnight, who is averaging seven yards per carry. I would take freshman Manti Te'o and give him the assignment of spying McKnight. I would tell Te'o that if McKnight goes to the bathroom, go with him. Having a spy will really make tackling this game changer a little easier.

Along with good blocking and tackling, establishing an early lead is key. The Irish must come out firing on all cylinders. Charlie Weis must put the pedal to the medal and not let off. With the return of fullback James Aldridge, an early lead will allow the Irish to control the game at the line of scrimmage. They will be able to pound the ball with Allen and Robert Hughes.

That will have a positive effect on the defense as well. That will take McKnight out of the gameplan and force true freshman Matt Barkley to bring USC back. From what I understand, snow is in the forecast. That will make it even more difficult for the young signal caller.

In order to get that big lead though, it gets back to blocking and tackling. The last thing Notre Dame has to do is eliminate bad penalties. Beating USC is hard enough without giving them free yards.

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